Report: 49ers' Chris Culliver sustains torn ACL

August 2, 2013, 1:41AM

08/02/2013

SANTA CLARA — The pain and tears that washed over cornerback Chris Culliver's face Thursday were different from that of his miserable Super Bowl week in New Orleans. And it signified a growing list of physical challenges for a 49ers team striving to return to the title game.

Culliver sustained a left-knee injury — reportedly a torn anterior cruciate ligament — a day after All-Pro linebacker Patrick Willis fractured his right hand. It's been a growing theme for the 49ers since leading receiver Michael Crabtree tore his right Achilles on May 21.

"There've been some nicks, and we try to dodge bullets," coach Jim Harbaugh said. "Sometimes you don't dodge them all. What it means now is guys are getting an opportunity to show what they can do."

While Willis likely will return in time for the season opener from what was termed a "slight fracture," Culliver's third season is likely done before it starts. He underwent an MRI at Stanford Hospital, and the results showed a torn ACL, according to the NFL Network and ESPN.

Culliver appeared distraught as he climbed onto a cart that took him to the locker room, and general manager Trent Baalke consoled Culliver at one point.

"We wish him the best of luck," said Perrish Cox, who was the punt returner when Culliver got hurt making a seemingly routine cut as the coverage team's gunner.

Culliver was the team's nickel back last season, playing behind starters Tarell Brown and Carlos Rogers. Culliver also left Wednesday's practice early, because of an apparent upper-body injury.

Culliver was unavailable for comment, and he hasn't granted any interview requests this training camp.

He drew scorn during Super Bowl week for homophobic comments, and he later struggled in the 49ers' 34-31 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

After Culliver's injury Thursday, Tramaine Brock moved up to the first-string defense and played left cornerback when Rogers shifted into the slot, with Brown at right cornerback.

With Willis and Bowman out, Nick Moody and Nate Stupar took turns lining up with Michael Wilhoite as first-string inside linebackers. "It's always good news getting first-team reps and more opportunities to make myself better, but at the cost with a teammate getting injured, that's always bad news," said Wilhoite, who broke up a Colin Kaepernick pass to Anquan Boldin at the goal line.

Moody and Wilhoite later combined on an interception, with Moody tipping a Kaepernick pass that Wilhoite grabbed.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Colin's playing so well right now, it overshadows some of the other guys." — Harbaugh on Kaepernick and the backup quarterbacks.

BRIEFLY

Rookie receiver Quinton Patton caught his first pass of camp, using his right hand while a soft cast remains on his left hand's injured fingers. Until that point, he had been instructed not to catch passes to protect his fingers.

While Goodwin did individual conditioning drills, Daniel Kilgore worked for a third straight day as the first-team center. Adam Snyder relieved Joe Staley at left tackle for a red-zone sequence.

SANTA CLARA — The pain and tears that washed over cornerback Chris Culliver's face Thursday were different from that of his miserable Super Bowl week in New Orleans. And it signified a growing list of physical challenges for a 49ers team striving to return to the title game.

Culliver sustained a left-knee injury — reportedly a torn anterior cruciate ligament — a day after All-Pro linebacker Patrick Willis fractured his right hand. It's been a growing theme for the 49ers since leading receiver Michael Crabtree tore his right Achilles on May 21.

"There've been some nicks, and we try to dodge bullets," coach Jim Harbaugh said. "Sometimes you don't dodge them all. What it means now is guys are getting an opportunity to show what they can do."

While Willis likely will return in time for the season opener from what was termed a "slight fracture," Culliver's third season is likely done before it starts. He underwent an MRI at Stanford Hospital, and the results showed a torn ACL, according to the NFL Network and ESPN.

Culliver appeared distraught as he climbed onto a cart that took him to the locker room, and general manager Trent Baalke consoled Culliver at one point.

"We wish him the best of luck," said Perrish Cox, who was the punt returner when Culliver got hurt making a seemingly routine cut as the coverage team's gunner.

Culliver was the team's nickel back last season, playing behind starters Tarell Brown and Carlos Rogers. Culliver also left Wednesday's practice early, because of an apparent upper-body injury.

Culliver was unavailable for comment, and he hasn't granted any interview requests this training camp.

He drew scorn during Super Bowl week for homophobic comments, and he later struggled in the 49ers' 34-31 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

After Culliver's injury Thursday, Tramaine Brock moved up to the first-string defense and played left cornerback when Rogers shifted into the slot, with Brown at right cornerback.

"He's quick, aggressive, a tough player, feisty," Harbaugh said of Brock, who has two interceptions in 30 career games.

Nnamdi Asomugha remained the second-string right cornerback and put together another impressive practice, including a goal-line pass defense of a Scott Tolzien throw toward Chad Hall.

"He did have some eye-popping plays, especially yesterday," Harbaugh said of Asomugha. "He has good grasp on the defense, he's in shape and doing a nice job."

The 49ers reportedly will audition free-agent wideouts this afternoon. They include Austin Collie and Laurent Robinson. Harbaugh and Baalke declined to comment on the workouts.

Collie, 27, worked out for the 49ers on June 13 but wasn't offered a contract. He and Robinson, 28, recently worked out for the Miami Dolphins at the same time.

Robinson, 28, caught 24 passes in seven games for the Jaguars last season. He is a six-year veteran. Collie, 27, caught one pass in the only game he played last season, his fourth with the Colts.

Collie averaged 57 receptions and totaled 16 touchdowns his first three seasons with the Colts. Concussions derailed his once-promising career.

MOODY, STUPAR STEP IN

With Willis and Bowman out, Nick Moody and Nate Stupar took turns lining up with Michael Wilhoite as first-string inside linebackers. "It's always good news getting first-team reps and more opportunities to make myself better, but at the cost with a teammate getting injured, that's always bad news," said Wilhoite, who broke up a Colin Kaepernick pass to Anquan Boldin at the goal line.

Moody and Wilhoite later combined on an interception, with Moody tipping a Kaepernick pass that Wilhoite grabbed.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Colin's playing so well right now, it overshadows some of the other guys." — Harbaugh on Kaepernick and the backup quarterbacks.

BRIEFLY

Rookie receiver Quinton Patton caught his first pass of camp, using his right hand while a soft cast remains on his left hand's injured fingers. Until that point, he had been instructed not to catch passes to protect his fingers.

While Goodwin did individual conditioning drills, Daniel Kilgore worked for a third straight day as the first-team center. Adam Snyder relieved Joe Staley at left tackle for a red-zone sequence.